Fuel Cell Power Supply Startup Control for Smaller BAT VCU
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply systems require large battery voltage and current control units (BAT VCU) due to the sudden demand for 100% load power during emergencies, which is challenging to manage with conventional fuel cell systems.
Innovation Solution
A power supply system that includes a fuel cell, a first voltage converter, a power storage device, and a controller that controls the fuel cell to generate approximately half of the required power before connecting to the load, charging the storage device, and then supplies power to the load, reducing the need for a large BAT VCU.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the battery is designed to output 100% of load power during load connection, then the power supply system can handle sudden power fluctuations, but the BAT VCU size becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cell performs preliminary power generation and charges the battery during the startup period (5-10 seconds) before load connection. This preliminary action reduces the battery's discharge burden when the load is connected, allowing the BAT VCU to be smaller while still maintaining the capability to handle power fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the fuel cell during startup, gradually increasing its output power from 0% to approximately 50% of the load power before connection. This parameter change allows the battery to operate at reduced capacity while maintaining system reliability.
2Speed
If a large BAT VCU is used to supply 100% of load power, then the system can respond to sudden load connection, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cell is activated and begins power generation during the 5-10 second startup period before load connection. This preliminary action ensures that the fuel cell is ready to share the power burden, reducing the requirement for an overly complex BAT VCU while maintaining fast response capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply responsibility is segmented between the fuel cell and the battery. The fuel cell handles approximately 50% of the load power during connection, while the battery handles the remaining portion. This segmentation reduces the complexity requirements for the BAT VCU.
3Power
If the fuel cell generates full load power immediately, then the load power requirement is met, but the fuel cell startup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel cell output power parameter is gradually changed from 0% to approximately 50% of the load power during the 5-10 second startup period. This gradual parameter change allows the fuel cell to reach operational state faster while still meeting the power requirements through combined fuel cell and battery output.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for a smaller BAT VCU by optimizing the fuel cell output to match load demand, thereby reducing the overall system size and improving responsiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a fuel cell has been used as an emergency power supply
Implementation Method 2
a first voltage converter that performs voltage conversion on an output voltage of the fuel cell; a second voltage converter connected in parallel to the first voltage converter with respect to a load to perform voltage conversion on an output voltage of the power storage device
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply system includes a fuel cell, a first voltage converter that performs voltage conversion on an output voltage of the fuel cell, a power storage device, a second voltage converter connected in parallel to the first voltage converter with respect to a load to perform voltage conversion on an output voltage of the power storage device, and a controller. The controller performs control to cause the fuel cell to generate electric power less than electric power to be consumed by the load after the fuel cell has started up and before electric power is supplied to the load and to charge the power storage device with the electric power generated by the fuel cell, and then performs control to start supply of electric power from the power supply system to the load.